Pump and drop electrical generation apparatus

Abstract

A pump storage hydroelectricity storage and generation system configured to burn un-scrubbed gas and generate electricity with minimal elevation differential between upper and lower fluid storage reservoirs.

1 . An apparatus for generating electrical energy from chemical energy comprising:
 A) a first liquid storage container,   B) a second liquid storage container at a higher elevation than said first liquid storage container in fluid communication with said first liquid storage container,   C) a Humphrey pump configured to move liquid from said first liquid storage container to said second liquid storage container,   D) a fluid communication means for liquid to pass from said second liquid storage container to said first liquid storage container, and   E) an electrical generation means disposed in said fluid communication means configured to generate electricity from liquid passing from said second liquid storage container to said first liquid storage container.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 A) means for selectively substantially closing said fluid communication means for liquid to pass from said second liquid storage container to said first liquid storage container thereby preventing the passage of liquid from said second liquid storage container to said first liquid storage container. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising:
 A) a control system configured to:
 I) selectively activate and deactivate said Humphrey pump and 
 II) selectively activate and deactivate said electrical generation means. 
 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said electrical generation means comprise an Archimedes screw turbine. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said electrical generation means comprise a Kaplan turbine. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising:
 A) means for capturing exhaust of said Humphrey pump. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising:
 A) means for diffusing exhaust captured from said Humphrey pump into a liquid. 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein:
 A) means for diffusing exhaust captured from said Humphrey pump into the liquid being pumped by said Humphrey pump. 
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising:
 A) a fermentation chamber containing an environment favorable to anaerobic bacterium. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein:
 A) means for circulating said fluid being pumped by said Humphrey pump, with diffused exhaust gas, through said fermentation chamber. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein:
 A) said control system selectively activates and deactivates said Humphrey pump and electrical generation means in response to inputs comprising one or more of:
 I) current market price of electricity, 
 II) current price of fuel for said Humphrey pump, 
 III) permit requirements concerning permissible amounts of gas which may be vented, flared, or otherwise be released.